Garment support



Sept. 19, 1939. .1. s BENNETT `CTARlvENT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 26,` 1937Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

My invention relates to belts or the like, for supporting wearingapparel, such as trousers, skirts, etc., and is concerned moreparticularly with garment-supports adapted to be worn on the inside ofthe garment to be supported.

It is common knowledge that the garment to be supplied, if an ordinarybelt is worn, tends to drop or fall to some extent as the wearer assumesa normal standing position after having sat down, reached up, orexecuted any of a number of ordinary body movements. This is dueprimarily to slippage induced through lack of friction between thegarment to be supported and the garment therebeneath. A tightening ofthe belt, instead of inducing friction, only adds to body discomfort anda more or less unsightly appearance at the waistline, by exposing toview the lining of the outer garment. Suspenders, if worn with a belt,while they act to hold up the garment to be supported, have no effectwhatsoever in holding the undergarment in place.

An object of the present invention is to improve upon that type of beltordinarily worn as a trouser support. Inits broadest aspect, the presentinvention may be said to comprise a band or strip of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coeicient of friction in and of itself. Softlive rubber, compounded or pure, is recommended as a material in that itpossesses inherently the surface friction and elasticity required.Instead of wearing the support on the outside of the garment to besupported, it is intended that it shall be worn on the inside of thewaistband so as to contact directly with the shirt or other garmenttherebeneath. The support or band, on its inner surface, isappropriately deeply transversely corrugated, so that whencircumferentially stressed and thereafter permitted to spring back toits original size and form, it effectively puckers and -frictionallyholds the material of the shirt within the grooves and between theridges of the transverse corrugations. In this manner, not only is thecoefficient of friction of the band itself utilized to prevent slippage,but added to this inherent surface friction is the augmented frictioninduced by the spread and contraction of the inner corrugated surface.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the support or band isadapted to be fastened directly to the waistband of the garment to besupported; end clamps or ttings, each comprising a part fastened to thesupport and a part fastened to the garment, being provided for thispurpose. Asia further means of fastening the band to the garment .to besupported, a novel form of loop organization is used. Preferably, theloop organization comprises a plurality of individual loops closelyspaced on the inside of the waistband to engage snugly in the grooves ofthe transverse corrugations. Thus engaged, the loops not only hold theband or support against circumferential displacement, and the garment tothe belt, but they also, when the band is stressed and the tensionthereafter relieved, draw in the waistband uniformly and neatly alongthe length of the support so as to insure comfort and the desiredsnugness of flt at the waistline. No puckering or gathering of thematerial of the garment into unsightly bulges can possibly occur. Theloops, moreover, due to their depth of lit within the grooves of thetransverse corrugations in no way interfere with or impair the frictioncontact between the band and the garment beneath. To remove the band, itis only necessary that it be rolled or reversed as to position beneaththe loops. In so doing, the deeply corrugated surface of the band isbrought into contact with the waist band per se, as distinct from theloops, so that sliding thereof in and out is thus made smooth and easy.

The advantages of a garment-support thus characterized are many. It isinexpensive to manufacture, and can be made in one size or length andcut down to suit the individual waistline measurement of the wearer. Itnot only holds up the garment to be supported, but by its frictionalcontact with the garment beneath, holds the latter neatly andcomfortably in place. It admits of ventilation at the waistline due tothe unfilled space between the ridges of the corrugations. Due to itsinherent elasticity it automatically accommodates itself to slightchanges in girth, thus adding materially to the comfort of the wearerregardless of body movement. Moreover, with a width-to-thickness ratioof approximately four to one, sufficient vertical or crosswise stiffnessis obtained to cause the top edge of the outer garment to curve inwardlyover the top edge of the belt rather than outwardly, which is the casewhen an ordinary belt is drawn tightly around the waist.

Other objects and'advantages of the invention will be hereinafter morefully set forth.

In the drawing, wherein like characters denote like or correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is an inside elevation, partlyV broken away, of a portion of awaistband showing the garment-support and its mode of attachment;

Fig. 2 is a part edge and part sectional view of the organization ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the band ends showingthe manner in which the end fittings or clamps are fastened in place;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of a trousers waistbandshowing the belt loop organization and the fitting part by means ofwhich the band end is fastened tothe trousersthe band per se having beenremoved;v

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the band or support;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 showing the relation of the band orsupport to thebelt`lo0ps and to the waistband to which the belt loopsare attached;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a modified form of garment-support orbelt, and l Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View of one end of themodified form of belt illustrated in Fig. '7.

Referring to Fig. 1, I0 designates the garment to be supported (trousersor the like). On the inside of the waistband I2 of the trousers, a looporganization is stitched or otherwise sewed. The loop organization`primarily comprises a fabric strip I4 fastened along-the top edge ofthe waistband and a second fabric strip I6 in parallelism with-thefirst, also fastened to the waistband but spaced from its upper edge.These strips I 4-I6 are folded into U-shape, and extending from one tothe other thereof into the-folds are a number of closely spaced loops orstrips I8'beneath which the belt or band 28, when-fitting in place, is

adapted toengage. v

The belt or band 28 is preferably made of rubber or the like, and has awidth-to-thickness ratio offapproximately four tof one. On its insideface the band-ZO-is deeplyv corrugated to provide ridges 22 andgrooves-24 `within the latter of which the closely `spaced loops I8 areadapted to snugly iit. On its opposite f-ace, the band is longitudinallycorrugated as at V26, the latter corrugations being relatively shallowand provided solely for the purpose of adding tothe coefficient offrictionYof-the-band per se.

`At each end-of the band -20 a fitting or clamp is provided. Each clampcomprises a part 28 fastened tothe band'end-and apart -30fastened to thewaistband. The part 28 fastened to the band end is provided with an eye32 through which a button or'lugi34 mounted on the other said fittingpart is passed in attaching and detaching the band'or belt. The part 30of the iitting is adapted to be'sewed or otherwise fastened to thewaistband aslindicated at 36. By sliding thesone fitting part relativelyto the other, as by stretching the bandl, the-two fitting parts may bequickly connected or-disconnected as desired. As a simple mode of.attachment for the fitting part 28, said part may be shaped asindicatedat 38, to receive within its embrace one or more of the ridges22 of the band (see Fig. 3). Preferably, the width of the loopsk I8 isslightly greater than the width of the grooves 28 within which they arerespectively vadapted to engage.

A garment-support characterized as above set forth, when applied totrousers, gives a neat, smooth external appearance throughout, eventhough the waistbandA be larger than the wearers waist. No buckling andunbuckling of the beltis required. HVAllthat Lis-"necessary is to buttonor fasten the-trousers around the waist. The loops are easily.-appliedaand can. beY quickly machinestitched in place. To remove thesupport it is only necessary to unfasten the end clamps, reverse theband by turning or rolling it under the loops, and then sliding it out.This latter feature is important. The trousers, with the band removed,may be then dry cleaned, laundered, or otherwise serviced withoutsubjecting the elastic portion of the support to the deterioratingeffects resulting from such service. It should also be noted that thespaces beneath the loops are longer than the width of the band, so thatthe transverse corrugated face of the latter may be easily rolled overor reversed.

'Ihe fabric loops are preferably machinestitched to the waistband whenboth the fabric and the waistband are attened and smoothed out. Thespacing of the loops is determined by the spacing of the transversecorrugations as it is desirable that all loops, when the band is fittedin place, shall snugly engage one each in each of the grooves'of thetransversely corrugated surface. The loop organization may extendcompletely around the waistband or it may be extended only partiallytherearound or in spaced sectional lengths as desired. Two twelve inchsection lengths, if the latter arragement is selected, are deemedsuicient. 'In any event, it is preferred that the spacing of the loopsbe slightly greater than the spacing of the corrugated slots. Thusspaced, when assembled, the waistband is caused to pucker slightlybetween each loop when there is no tension on the band, and the extentof this .pucker is governed by the extent of greater spacing of theloops as compared with the lesser spacing of the grooves in the band.The puckering between loops, `considered separately, -s hardlynoticeable, but collectivelythey endow the waistband with a good `degreeAof flexibility. For example, With grooves andl ridges on the bands, and1%" loops with likspacing between, a le pucker per groove is obtained.This is equal to thirty-twopuckers per foot or 3%6" in all, i. e., aflexibility Tof 2 without allowing for any stretch to hold the band inplace.

In the modification-of Figs. 7 and8, the band per se more nearlyapproximates the function of a belt. Many of the advantages of the abovedescribed garment-support, howevenare retained. The band comprisesastrip 40 of rubber, smooth on its outersurface'42 and corrugated on itsinner surface to form alternate ridges VI4 and grooves 46 throughout allor asubstantial part of its length. Fig. 7 shoWshoW-the belt is applied,48 representing the waistband of the garment to be supportedhavingrbeltl-loops 50 stitched to the inner surface thereof beneathwhich the belt is threaded. The undergarment material shown at 52accommodates itself to the belt corrugations so that there is atlalltimes -flrm frictional engagement lbetween it and the belt.

In the modification, the belt as a whole is freely removable. Tothisend, it is-provided with buckle elements 54 and 56 respectively providedwith a ball end 58 joined to the element-54 by a shank 60 of reduceddiameterfand with a slot 62 having its inner end enlarged toreceive theball 58 and its outer end 64 ofsmaller width to engage the shank 60. Theelements 54 and 56 comprise metallic strips of U-shape r(see Fig. 8)each having a transverse slot 68. 4'I'he belt is assembled tothe buckleby inserting an end thereof into the buckle element withthe corrugatedsurface on that sideof the element in which is formed the slot B6. A-key-68 `of"me`tal,-Bakelite, or the like,

is provided -t'o Jock -the-belt to the buckle, this 75 key comprising asubstantially T-shaped member having an inner limb 'l0 which is insertedthrough the slot 66 and into one of the grooves 46 of the corrugations,the limb being kerfed as at l2 so that, when the belt is drawn outwardlywith respect to the buckle element, that part of the member adjacent theslot 66 locks intothe kerf 12 to prevent withdrawal of the key member.The key member is likewise provided with flanges 14 overlapping theedges of the slot 66 to give a neat appearance; these flanges beingexteriorly knurled to make assembly and disassembly of the belt andbuckle easier.

In use, thev wearer inserts the belt 40 through the insidebeltloopsonthe trousers and,after tucking the shirt into the trousers,grasps the buckle elements to stretch the belt somewhat before engagingthe buckle elements and relaxing the parts into final position. 'Ihispreliminary stretching of the belt serves to spread the ridges 44 of thecorrugations along the surface of the shirt, so that when the belt isrelaxed the ridges will frictionally engage small increments of theshirt, puckering the intermediate shirt portions between ridges and intothe grooves 4B, thereby affording f'lrm engagement of the belt with theshirt and allowing peripheral freedom of the shirt on the body of thewearer, since the body of the shirt is normally of considerably greatergirth than the trousers.

While I have described my invention in detail in its present preferredembodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, afterunderstanding my invention, that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Iaim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes.

I claim as my invention:

l. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment-supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to contact Vdirectly thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coeicient of friction, the band on its innerface being transversely corrugated whereby when circumferentiallystressed and permitted thereafter to spring back to its original sizeand form it effectively puckers and frictionally holds the material ofthe under garment within the grooves and between the ridges of thetransverse corrugations, and means fastened to the garment to besupported and engaging in the grooves of the transverse corrugationsadapted to pucker the former as tension on the elastic band is relieved.

2. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment-supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to Contact directly thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coeicient of friction, the band on its innerface being transversely corrugated whereby when circumferentiallystressed and permitted thereafter to spring back to its original sizeand form it effectively puckers and frictionally holds the material ofthe under garment within the grooves and between the ridges of thetransverse corrugations, and closely spaced loops fastened to thegarment to be supported and engaging in the grooves of the transversecorrugations adapted to pucker the former as tension on the elastic bandis relieved.

3. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment-supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to contact directly thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coefficient of friction, the band on i-ts innerface being transversely corrugated whereby when circumferentiallystressed and permitted thereafter to spring back to its original4 sizeand form'it effectively puckers and frictionally holdslthe material ofthe under garment within the.y grooves and between the ridges :of the.transverse -.corru gations, and loops fastened to the garment to besupported beneath which the elastic band is adapted to be fitted, saidloops in one position of adjustment of said band being adapted to engagein the grooves of the transverse corrugations to puckei'` the garment tobe supported as tension on the band is relieved, and said band whenreversed as to position beneath said loops being adapted to freely slidetherebeneath.

4. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a .garment-supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to contact directly thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coeicient of friction, the band on its innerface being transversely corrugated whereby when circumferentiallystressed and permitted thereafter to spring back to its original sizeand form it effectively puckers and frictionally holds the material ofthe under garment within the grooves and between the ridges of thetransverse corrugations, fittings mounted at the opposite band endsadapted to interlock in one or more of the grooves of the transversecorrugations, means for detachably fastening said fittings to thegarment to be supported, and means fastened to the garment to besupported and engaging with said elastic band adapted to pucker theformer as tension on the latter is relieved.

5. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment supportadapted -to be worn on the inside thereof, said support comprising aband of elastic material having one face only thereof relatively deeplytransversely corrugated, and loops fastened to and on the inside of thegarment to be supported engageable within the grooves of the transversecorrugations and beneath which the band is reversible as to position andbeneath which it is freely slidable when reversed.

6. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to directly contact thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coefficient vof friction, the band on its innerface being relatively deeply transversely corrugated whereby whencircumferentially stressed and permitted thereafter to spring back toits original size and form, it effectively uniformly puckers andfrictionally holds -the material of the undergarment withinv the groovesand between the ridges of the transverse corrugations, the inner facesof the ridges of the transverse corrugations being substantially flatand provided with relatively sharply angled edges substantiallycoextensive with the width of the band whereby slippage of the materialof the undergarment relatively to the band is prevented.

7. The combination with a garment to be supported, of a garment supportadapted to be worn on the inside thereof so as to directly contact thegarment therebeneath, said support comprising a band of elastic materialhaving a relatively high coeflicient of friction, the band on its innerface being relatively deeply transversely corrugated 75 'whereby `whenYcircumferentially stressed and :permitted .thereafter to spring back toits original fsize `and form, it eiectively uniformly puckers `andfrictionally holds the material of the under- `extensive with the widthofthe band whereby slippage of the Ymaterial of theundergarment'relatvely tothe band is prevented, and end fittings forsaid band detachably fastened thereto by the tt-ng engagement of aportion of said end ttings in one or more of the .grooves of thetransverse 'oorrugations l JOSEPH S. BENNE'I'I'.

